Urinary Incontinence

Our expertly trained team offers solutions for urinary incontinence to patients at the Midtown West Manhattan urology office, Total Urology Care of New York. There are several types of urinary incontinence each of which happen for different reasons. Urge incontinence usually occurs as a result of a problem that arises when the spinal cord’s nerves are unable to properly communicate with the bladder. Normally, the nerves tell muscles when to hold urine and when to empty it. A problem that gets in the way of this communication interferes with normal bladder function. Stress incontinence occurs when a woman loses urine when she laughs, coughs, or sneezes. This is usually the result of laxity in muscles that make up the floor of the pelvis.

Urinary Incontinence Q & A

What is incontinence?

Urinary incontinence refers to the unintentional release of urine when an individual coughs, sneezes, laughs, or when the individual is engaged in physical activities. The sudden need to urinate can also occur and in some instances, the person cannot get to a restroom in time. While it is not typically an indication of a serious illness, it can disrupt an individual’s everyday routine and cause them to feel less confident when participating in social activities. Persistent urinary incontinence can present in two forms, stress incontinence, and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence is marked by the leakage of urine after coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping or pressure on the pelvis. It is due to structural problems of the uterus pelvic floor bladder and urethra. Urge incontinence is usually a neurological problem and shows as a severe urge to urinate with no time to find a bathroom. This is where the person feels they have to go and if they don't find a toilet within a few moments the will leak, sometimes quite a lot. Mixed incontinence is a combination of the two and is the most common type of incontinence.

What are symptoms?

If you have this problem, you could have an underactive or overactive bladder. You could hold urine, not know when you have a full bladder, and leak urine. You could be unable to empty your bladder completely, not be able to control your urination, and go frequently. You could also develop urinary tract infections.

How is this problem treated?

A variety of medications might help you have more normal urination. These include medications that encourage nerve activity, medications for bladder relaxation, and other options. Other treatment choices include using a catheter to the bladder or having one of a few different surgical options. Some lifestyle changes might also help. You can learn exercises that build strength in the muscles of the pelvic floor and pay attention to your urination pattern. Your doctor will decide on the best course of action for your specific situation.

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